fluorescent day light bulbs

19 years ago

I do believe can save you quite a bit of money. I replaced most of my light bulbs over a year ago with this type of bulb. That was one consistant change I made in my household. The other was the purchase of a wringer washer, which I used for a good portion of the summer and into the fall. The third thing I did, was every chance I got I hung clothes to dry outside on the clothesline to dry instead of using the dryer. The payoff on these three changes was my budget light bill went from 189 per month to 154.

The daylight bulbs gave a much better light, whiter and cleaner looking than the regular bulbs. I think the major part of this savings was in the change of the light bulbs.

As during this time, my DS, who was living with me, seemed to use the washer and dryer more, as they were freed up because I was using the wringer and hanging. Her loads became smaller and more frequent. So I really have to attribute the savings to the use of the bulbs. Plus they last so much longer, it is a real treat not to have to change bulbs as often.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

mikie_gw
19 years ago
I measured washer load. It was something like a nickle worth of power. Standard top loader with medium water level. I only use cold/cold water so no heating/power costs there.

I dont have anything to exactly measure dryer, but seems about 2kwh for a medium load of daily wear clothes - or about 26 cents here.
bud_wi
19 years ago
About a year ago; I changed my lightbulbs to the energy saving flourescent. I put plastic over most of my windows. I put in new energy saving windows in my kitchen and dining room. I set my heat lower than ever before. I shut OFF all the heat in my basement. (I only really use the basement for laundry.)

And what happened to my utility bill??????? Well, not only did my monthlly bill go up in dollars, I checked my *usage* on the bill and it went UP. Why? How?

I can understand if the rates went up, (Which they did.) that my bill would go up, but according to my bill my USAGE went up. I don't get it.
Related Discussions
Can you grow a eucalyptus bonsai under a fluorescent light bulb??
Q
Comments (2)
It's very doubtful that the fluorescent light was too intense. I grow various seedlings under fluorescent bulbs spaced about as close together as I can possibly squeeze them to approach natural light. If your lamps are unusually intense and placed immediately above the seedlings, just back them off a little. It's more likely that something else is going on. If you are sure that lack of moisture wasn't a problem, how about too much moisture? I have had more problems with too much moisture than not enough, myself. I've had cuttings in well aerated soil to experience rot because of excessive moisture even when the top of the soil looked like it was dry. Sometimes it's hard to judge the moisture levels in the lower part of the pot. Transplanting now might be a good idea because it would give you a chance to examine the roots and see if rot was a problem. I would stick with the fluorescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs are generally not well suited for use as plant lights for various reasons. BTW, check the wavelength (temperature) of your bulbs if they aren't specifically for plants. Something around 5000 degrees K is usually best. Some bulbs are too red or too blue for best plant response.
...See More
Which compact fluorescent bulb is best for indoor citrus?
Q
Comments (2)
According to the University of Missouri ( http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G6515 ) Ã¢ÂÂ¦ Ã¢ÂÂPotted citrus plants prefer bright light for best growth and fruiting. You may keep them at medium light intensities during midwinter. The calamondin orange is the most popular potted citrus, although Meyer lemon and Ponderosa lemon are also satisfactory for home useÃ¢ÂÂ. They define Ã¢ÂÂmedium light intensitiesÃ¢ÂÂ as being between 250 and 1000 foot-candles, saying that the best growth occurs above 750 foot-candles. Keeping the lights on for 16 to 18 hours a day is also suggested. I donÃ¢ÂÂt know the size of your plants but IÃ¢ÂÂd think that, to properly cover anything other than very small plants, youÃ¢ÂÂd need more than one light. IÃ¢ÂÂd also suggest a kelvin rating of 5000K or higher. A CFL bulb (with a clamp-on reflector) rated at 2600 lumens, kept about 10 inches from the plants, would result in the plants getting somewhere between about 1200 and 1600 foot-candles (depending on the size and reflectivity of the reflector) of light intensity. One such bulb can be seen by clicking the link below. Bulbs like this should be available at most local hardware or big box stores. How many youÃ¢ÂÂd need would depend on the number of (and size of) your plants. Hope this helps, Art Here is a link that might be useful: Good Example This post was edited by art33 on Sat, Jan 18, 14 at 19:50
...See More
Fluorescent Light Bulb
Q
Comments (7)
Thanks everyone for the great information. It is a lot of information to take in when getting started with indoor gardening, especially when your gardening experience is limited anyways. I have been thinking about doing some spinach as well because my wife loves spinach on her salad and sandwiches and I love spinach period. I will probably plant some seeds in the coming weeks. I am planning on doing a blog and maybe a vlog to compliment it to record our progress with this. If just for me to be able to look back and say.. wow look how far I've come. I will let yall know when I get it started if your interested in keeping up to date with how things go. - Also if anyone is interested in co-blogging with me let me know. Might be interested to team up with someone on the blog who has an indoor garden too. I noticed one of my pole beans have sprouted already but I am still waiting on everything else. My 2 inch cut of rosemary hasn't rooted yet (crosses fingers).
...See More
high output fluorescent bulbs in standard fluorescent fixture?
Q
Comments (1)
It is but the ballast needs to be changed to HO also. The HO bulbs will put out less light than standard bulbs with a standard ballast. It's like trying to use a 6V battery to start your 12V car.
...See More
joyfulguy
19 years ago
bud WI,

Sometimes life just ain't fair!

Undergoing some privation in a good cause ... should have at least a little pay-off, right?

They tell me that light production from a compact fluorescent is about 4:1 relative to incandescent, i.e., 15 watt CFL should produce about equiv. to 60w. incandescent. I don't think so - it's less, according to me (and there's one operating within half a metre of my elbow, at the moment).

ole joyful
grainlady_ks
19 years ago
We have 2 recessed can lights over the bar area in our kitchen. By accident, I had our room thermometer sitting directly under the lights (on the bar) and noted the temperature. Turned on the can lights to do a task, and couldn't believe the temperature went up 3Â°F from those 2 lights. We were very happy when we found fluorescent lights to replace them. We've used compact fluorescent bulbs for about 15 years, but didn't realize they had some to use in the recessed can lights.

So not only are these lights energy efficient, you save on your cooling bill in the summer because of all the heat produced from incandescents.

About 15% of your energy goes to heating water (according to one source) - and is a good area to save energy. We have an additional problem in our area, water shortage. What we've done to save water AND energy, is to use a small plastic tote in the kitchen sink for washing up a few dishes and kitchen clean up after meals - not a huge sink full of sudsy water. Instead of running 3 gallons of water down the drain until it gets hot, we use about 3-5 CUPS of cold water and heat 3-5 CUPS of hot water in an electric kettle to add to the cold water. Believe it or not, 6-10 cups of water is more than enough to do dishes. We rinse dishes in cold water, which according to our local health department, is perfectly safe to do. The average sink of water is 3-4 times the amount I use.

I also have 2 Camp Showers. These are black plastic containers that you fill with water (5-gallons) and sit in the sun to heat the water. Once again, free heated water.

I also use solar ovens for as much of our cooking as possible. Naturally, energy for them costs nothing and it keeps the cooking heat out of the kitchen.

-Grainlady

fluorescent day light bulbs

Comments (4)

mikie_gw

bud_wi

Related Discussions

joyfulguy

grainlady_ks

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US